Murder & Mayhem; the Series

What originally began as an idea for a post, a helpful guide, if you will, for all those mages new to the arena, has now mutated into a monster. As I was writing a tip, I’d think “Oh wait, I don’t need to say this, they already know that Sap and Polymorph share DR.” But you know? The more I thought about it, the more I realized that things I figured were just plain common sense most people don’t actually know.

I mean, rank 1 frostbolt, blizzard, cone of cold, arcane explosion and polymorph all make sense to me in a strategical sense. But maybe it doesn’t to everyone else… I mean, sure, the pros probably know you can use rank 1 cone of cold as a quick and cheap snare, but do all the new people do?

And so what was originally intended is a one off post like my guide to PvP’ing as a tank has turned into this huge, massive… thing.

Without further ado, let’s get this thing started.

The biggest thing to realize about arenas is that it is not nearly as cookie cutter as PvE is.

Obviously there are all the common builds like 17/0/44 that everyone and their grandma goes with, (who, incidentally, plays an Undead mage named “Scuttle”) but what specific talents/gear/gems you decide to get can change drastically depending on who your partners are, and what strategies you employ.

Pair with a rogue, and you may spec yourself into a very strong defence build, concentrating on survival and slows/roots, stacking heavy stamina, and play defensively enough to embarrass a protection warrior.

Pair with an elemental shaman, and you may spec yourself to deal as much damage as possible, relying on Icy Veins + GRAAARGH mode… err, Heroism/Bloodlust, gemming everything for critical strike gems, and go to town on whoever you’re facing.

That’s why this is not a guide to what you absolutely MUST do or you will fail miserably and be laughed by everyone, including your grandmother (who, incidentally, plays on a 3v3 team called “Two Gruul’s One Cup”, and has a 1988 rating).

For those of you just recoiled in horror and/or let loose cries of utter anguish, I’m sorry. I don’t make this stuff up.

Rather, this series is a guide containing tips and beginner strategies that will give you foundations on which to build solid, advanced tactics to become a force to be reckoned with. And hey, you might get an awesome title out of the deal, too.

VOLUME I – Crowd Control

Part 1 – Ol’ McMagey Had a Farm

Part 2 – Counterspell and You!

Part 3 – Frozen Meats

VOLUME II – Dealing Damage

Part 1 – Shatter

Part 2 – The Pain Train

VOLUME III – Us Versus Them

Druids – Ahh, druids. Instant cast heals and near immunity to every form of control a mage has. What’s not to love?

Deathknights

Hunters – Ahh, hunters. Terror of the battlegrounds, it’s impossible to count the number of mages that have been torn to pieces by hunters over the years. Ranged physical damage, a pet, a mana drain; a class practically begging to go head to head with a caster.

Mages – Ahh, mages. Arguably the squishiest class in the game, and yet capable of terrifying power; solid crowd control, and the most powerful burst capability of any class in the arenas.

Paladins

Priests

Rogues

Shamans

Warlocks

Warriors

VOLUME IV – All About You

Part 1 – Talent Show

Part 2 – Gemming for War

Part 3 – How To Talk

** Us Versus Them, Hunter Edition is now live.**